Average duration of the larval period is 140 days for males and 151 days for females. Males and females have 8 and 9 development stages, respectively. At birth, larvae emerge from an opening on the lower end of the basket, they secrete a silk thread, and then spread assisted by the wind (foresia).

As they move down any plant, they begin to scrape the epidermis of the leaves, using the remnants, stuck together with saliva, to form the basket. As the larva develops, it enlarges the basket with pieces of leaves, twigs and veins.

Where populations of economic relevance are observed, or when a general infestation is detected, spray with Bacillus thuringiensis in doses from 350 to 400 g/hectare.

The product must be used immediately after mixing, and the application must be done in the early morning. It is advisable to use motorized equipment to apply the product with a bonding agent at 2.5% volume over the whole surface.

The vast majority of the bananas currently grown and consumed were not conventionally bred but are selections made over probably thousands of years from naturally occurring hybrids. Cultivated bananas are very nearly sterile and as a consequence are not propagated from seed but rather through vegetative propagation, primarily suckers as well as more recently micropropagated or tissue cultured bananas. These factors, very old selections, near sterility and vegetative propagation, mean that these bananas have not been genetically improved either for resistance or improved quality and are becoming increasing in affected by serious pests and diseases.